Okay, I’ve got a challenge for you today.
I’ve been really convicted to help all of us keep our focus on Christ the next 25 days.
I was thinking… What if together we pursue an alternative to the want more, buy more, get more, shop more, wrap more, get disenchanted more, hurried, frenzied, tense, time that our world calls the Christmas season.
I thought one of the best ways to start is to simply immerse our minds daily in the true Christmas story as accounted in Scripture.
I had several people tell me about a Christmas reading plan called Rediscovering The Christmas Season that was available at YouVersion.com. I checked it out and love it so I thought I would invite you to read along with me. I’ll probably post on it from time to time over the next couple weeks.
I put the plan below but I really encourage you to go to youversion.com and sign up for a free account. It’s a wonderful tool I think you’ll love.
So here we go… Day 1.
You in?
Dec 1: Luke 2:21-40
Dec 2: Matthew 1
Dec 3: Luke 2:1-20
Dec 4: Mark 9:33-37
Dec 5: Matthew 4:12-17, Isaiah 9:1-3, Matt 5:14-16
Dec 6: Acts 20:35, 1 John 4:10
Dec 7: Exodus 25
Dec 8: Matthew 25:31-46
Dec 9: Isaiah 9:6-7, Revelation 19:1-16, 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Dec 10: Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 7:10-15, John 1:14
Dec 11: Genesis 1, Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 51:1-10
Dec 12: Revelation 2:1-5, 1 John 3:1-3
Dec 13: Psalm 150
Dec 14: Acts 15:22-31
Dec 15: Luke 1, Jeremiah 32:17
Dec 16: Matthew 2:1-12
Dec 17: Galatians 4:1-7
Dec 18:Isaiah 58, Matthew 6:16-18
Dec 19: Luke 11:1-13
Dec 20: John 1
Dec 21: John 21:25
Dec 22: Psalm 100
Dec 23: Matthew 25
Dec 24: John 3:16
Dec 25: Luke 1:26-56, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-40
Good plan! We’re doing a Jesse tree this year with the kids. It’s been really good to take some time in the evening and focus on scripture as a family. Snow’s falling in Indy this morning…think I’ll grab my cup of coffee and bible and read today’s passage.
I started this a few days ago. I’m loving how it takes me to places I wouldn’t think of regarding the Christmas Story. I love the Additional Content that’s available on YouVersion.com as well.
A simple, yet very effective way to re-discover the Christmas story all over again.
Thanks.
Being the resident Grinch & Scrooge McDuck rolled into one, I think I could use a bit more of the Christmas spirit…I’m in.
Yeah Dan!!!
I’m in.
I LOVE this reading plan! I’m already a few days into it, as I started it on Sunday, which was the first day of Advent. Great idea to get people reading it together thought!
Whittaker’s are in! H
Good. I think Carlos really needs to start reading his Bible.
Considering I haven’t actually picked up my Bible in close to a year……I’m in.
This is wonderful! I just watched a you tube video titled, Where’s the Line to See Jesus? Puts things in perspective!
http://wheresthelinetoseejesus.com/
I’m in
Bergstrom’s IN!
Holy Cow.. I saw your name and then something ‘connected’.. I just had my parents watch the prank that followed your Lot Message over the Thanksgiving holiday.
My dad was a pastor when I was growing up and he appreciated the whole ordeal that you had to go through. He was impressed with how well you handled the FCC situation.
Can’t believe you hadn’t picked up on that before Tony. He’s a legend.
I know..exactly!!
I have been laughing ‘along’ with this guy for a long time. I had just never paid attention to his name until I was telling my parents what to search for on youtube.
So there I was yesterday scrolling though the comments and .. boom. there’s that name. It was epic
All I can say is, Pete, you are surrounded by genius!
The movie ‘The Nativity’ that came out a few years back had me searching scripture during that Christmas season for the meaning of the word Worship.
Great movie. But even better time spent looking into God’s word for explanation of worship. I would never fully understand Philippians 3:8 had I not dived into the word Worship.
And, truthfully, that is what I want Christmas to be about. A moment to worship Christ for His Kinosis (Philippians 2) in becoming a man to walk among us.
I was really considering doing this so I might as well jump on board. Looking forward to reading your post and being a part of the discussions as we all go through this.
Sounds great, I’m in!
Bring on CHRISTMAS!! Yeah. So excited and I am in…can’t wait to read.
Yes, yes i am. I am actually in between Romans and 1 Corinthians. Good time to do this!
We are in here in TX. Plus I am going take our whole church through it too. Miss ya guys.
I’m in. I’ve been wanting something to study in the Bible.
I’ve been looking for God’s leading in my life and what better place to find it than in the story of Christmas.
Yes, I am!
In fact, it inspired me to write a post for our church’s blog to get people here in Rochester, NY doing the plan too. Thanks! Your ministry expands beyond Nashville (even in a simple post).
Praise God.
I’m in
We are on our 6th year of advent devotionals each night with the kids. That’s a 17 yr old. 16 year old , 13 year old , mom and dad and two puppies. We move a piece of the advent calendar from piper each night. Has become a way not to focus on ourselves and a really peaceful way to end the day.
Today I am Simeon. lord let be see your salvation
Thank you Pete. I love this breakdown of Scripture to read through the time preparing for Christmas. We get so lost in everything during the holidays.
LOVE this, Pete! I’m in and will be sharing it with fam and friends.
I’m in!
Scary; how much we may be “intune”..started this plan on Nov.26th!..so I’m def. With ya; Pete!
I’m in. I am also reading Today In A Manger by Ian Strachan. I always look forward to seeing what else God can teach me during Advent.
Count me in
! L♥ve it!
I am doing this with my YG. Thanks for the idea, Pete!
Yeah, yeah, nice try Pedro!
I’m still expecting my yearly spectacular gift from you this year.
To quote the apostle Bob from “What about Bob”
“Give Me, Give Me, Give Me!
I Need, I Need, I Need!”
Love it.
I’m in.
Incredible. Love it. Thanks!
I’m not from the US but I wanted something like that. I will go and check the website. I’m already excited about it. Thanks for sharing.
YouVersion is the jam!! You can choose from TONS of translations, plus is has daily plans, etc. Really cool!
In
totally in!
I am definitely in! Great idea!
My husband, 3 boys and I are all in!
Kara -North Texas
Love this, I’m in.
I am so down for this! I love having YouVersion on my phone. I find that when I’m even doing something as mundane as grocery shopping, I can pull it up and read while I peruse the aisles.
Bring on baby Jesus!!
I actually don’t have it on my phone. Need to go add that right now.
I’m all over this!
I’m in!!!
I’m in.
Count me in too! Every year, for the past several years, I pray and ask the Lord to reveal something NEW to me about Christmas. He hasn’t let me down. Excited to see where these scriptures lead us.
My family and I are in!!!
Another comment on staying focused on the reason for the season..
Kindness, kindness, kindness on to of kindness..
Even in the face of total bitterness and frustration..
Spread kindness!!!
So glad I clicked to check in today. I’ve been a believer for 40 some years. My husband and I are have been struggling to keep our business going and keeping 50 employees paid. We face a very different Christmas in the world’s view….and I’ve realized how much of the world and the things of the world I slipped into like a comfy robe. I’ve lost something in my relationship with Christ…too much of the world. I just didn’t realize. Thanks for sharing this.
You’re welcome Pam. I think many of us are struggling with this right along with you.
Thanks for sharing this – its exactly what I needed!! I started yesterday…
I wanted to do something different for Christmas this year to help keep me (and my family) focused on the right things in regard to Christmas. This is PERFECT! (Quite a bit more organized than just reading through the “Christmas Story”)
Hi Pete, I agree with what you’re saying and applaud what you’re trying to do, but I firmly believe that in order to get away from all the “buy more, want more” mentality, Christians need to “rediscover” that the season we are in right now is absolutely NOT the Christmas season. It’s Advent right now. The Christmas season starts (not ends) at sundown on Christmas Eve and lasts through Epiphany (Jan. 6): the true 12 Days of Christmas. The idea that the “Christmas season” begins right after Thanksgiving did not come from Christianity: it came from retailers precisely because they want us in a buying mood. Yes, we need to rediscover what Christmas is, but we need to rediscover WHEN it is too. Maybe if you do this next year, you can call it “Rediscovering the Advent Season” instead.
Great post. Recently I’ve downloaded a free app for my iPhone with sound Biblical preaching. The Very First CHRISTmas is a MUST HAVE interactive storybook of the birth of Jesus Christ! The App is all about Christ’s birth. Beautifully illustrated, with sound Biblical teaching. There are three different activities to reinforce the message of Christ’s birth. With the two fun filled games that support the story and animation which allows the kids to put together their own storybook, this App is sure to be a Christmas favorite!There is also a feature to allow the App to automatically read the story to the smaller children.